Russia – Soviet: A Courland Order of Glory 3rd Class, type 2, the reverse numbered 256929 awarded to Sergeant Dmitrij Ivanovich Koptsev, a Gun Commander of 1385 Anti-Aircraft Artillery ‘Idritsa’ Regiment, 36 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division of the Supreme Command Reserve for acting among the fighting rifle troops and his gun destroyed an enemy field cannon, one machine-gun position and up to 17 enemy troops. This effort enabling the advance of our troops and the successful repulsion of enemy counter-attacks.
Order of Glory 3rd Class, type 2, the reverse numbered 256929
Condition: Good Very Fine
Dimitrij Ivanovich Koptsev, a Russian national was born in the village of Chigasovo, Semyonovskij District, Ryazan in 1925. Attaining an elementary education he joined the Red Army in January 1943. He would receive two awards during his service, the first of which was a Medal for Bravery on 1st August 1944 by decree of the 1385 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment.
This award of the Order of Glory 3rd Class would be his second award issued by decree of the 36 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division on 2nd March 1945. At the time of the award he would be serving as a Sergeant and Gun Commander, 1385 Anti-Aircraft Artillery ‘Idritsa’ Regiment, 36 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division of the Supreme Command Reserve:
‘In an enemy defence breakthrough operation during 21st-23rd February 1945 near the village of Spirgus and Lieknini, he acted among the fighting rifle troops and his gun destroyed an enemy field cannon, one machine-gun position, and up to 17 enemy troops. This effort enabled advance of our troops and successful repulsion of enemy counter-attacks.’
The fighting in this area at this time related to the Courland Peninsula which saw German Army Group North isolated there as a result of the summer offensives of 1944. The German Army Group which had been surrounded in the area would survive until the surrender of the German Armed Forces on 8th May 1945.
He would later go on to receive a Medal for the Victory over Germany., and on 2nd January 1947 was working as the head of the food depot of the 211 Army Level Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, 1385 Anti-Aircraft Artillery ‘Idritsa’ Regiment whilst being a resident of the village of Chigasovo, Semyononskij District, Ryazan Region.
